February 20, 2013, 7:26AM

I saw this on the NPR blog this morning about the global reach of Anheuser-Busch and SAB-Miller and it's fascinating/chilling in equal parts, because craft brewing was the reaction to this sort of merger mania, which in 1978 left the U.S. with fewer than 80 breweries --- a number that the smart money at the time predicted would get even smaller. We've more breweries now than ever before, but this is a good reminder that for the big beer beer companies, beer is just the widget they happen to sell Full story »

April 14, 2012, 11:11AM

Here are some photos from my most recent visit to Gigantic Brewing, the eagerly awaited production brewery and tasting room founded by two of Portland's finest: Van Havig and Ben Love. The brewery is up and running, and they've got almost everything finished and ready for the opening day, Wednesday May 9. Full story »

February 15, 2012, 9:47AM

Things are definitely getting closer at Ben and Van's brewery-soon-to-be. The mash tun should be delivered Friday, which completes their brewhouse --- except, of course for plumbing and wiring, but you can't do that stuff without the tun, kettle and tanks in place. I'll get to the most recent progress in a bit, but first here are two events this week that'll give you a chance to preview Gigantic Brewing. Full story »

February 04, 2012, 11:40AM

Gigantic Brewing is starting to look like a brewery: Metalcraft Fabrication dropped off several new tanks: fermenters, brew kettle and platform. When the mash tun is delivered next week, they'll have thier brewhouse in place, and then it's just a matter of time and plumbing before they're brewing --- legally, too. Full story »

December 24, 2011, 9:42AM

It's been a big week at Gigantic Brewing, where we left last week with the brewery's new floor being poured...then came the big news, that the feds --- the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade & Tax Bureau or the TTB --- had approved Gigantic's brewery application in an amazingly short 34 days --- and they've got their first beer brewed and first brewers dinner planned, for Jan 28, both at Pelican in Pacific City... Full story »

December 15, 2011, 8:13AM

Ben and Van brewed their first Giganti beer, a baltic porter last Friday at Pelican Brewery, and plan several more collaborationh brews while they await approval for their brewery. They've got their license app into the OLCC and the city, and their TTB app into the feds and the new brewery floor is being poured today...when asked about a possible opening time for the tasting room, Ben said February or Mar and Van said Christmas: "I want everything to happen by Christmas..." Full story »

October 15, 2011, 7:47AM

Brewers at Alameda's new production brewery and at Mike Wright's new brewery The Commons each made their first batches of beer this week, and Ben Love and Van Havig are starting to build their new brewery, Gigantic Brewing...and that means more great beer for Beervana... Full story »

October 07, 2011, 12:42PM

This has been in the works for a while, but is official now: today, Friday Oct. 7 is Ben Love's last day at Hopworks Urban Brewery, the brewery he helped Christian Ettinger build. Love and Van Havig, two of Portland's most respected brewers, are starting a new Portland production brewery called Gigantic Brewing Co. in a building on Southeast 26th Avenue, and, says Van, they hope to be brewing in January. Full story »

September 08, 2011, 8:20AM

Portland author Christian DeBenedetti spent the last year criss-crossing America to write what may be the definitive book on great American craft-beer bars, pubs and breweries. Here are some pictures from the release party at Hopworks Wednesday night. Full story »

January 07, 2011, 1:05PM

One of Oregon's most innovative brewers, Van Havig, is suddenly at liberty today after leaving Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, a national chain of brewpubs, after nearly 16 years with the company. "I just don't fit with the company," he said today, "I've been asked to leave." Full story »